‘No, she is not Esther Arunga’

The wife of Kibra MP-elect, Imran Okoth, has attracted several comparisons online to former KTN news anchor Esther Arunga due to her striking resemblance to the ex-media personality.

Anne Ithara-Okoth, the wife of Imran, stood next to him throughout vote-tallying exercise at the Nairobi City County Inspectorate Training College, the tallying centre for Kibra Constituency.

And, when Imran was declared winner of the November 7 by-election after garnering 24, 636 votes against second-placed McDonald Mariga’s 11, 230, Anne could not hide her jubilation.

Speaking to K24 Digital at the tallying centre early Friday, she said: “I am very, very happy that my husband has won the parliamentary seat. I lack words to describe the exact feeling. However, I would like to express my gratitude to Kibra people for electing Imran. They are the bosses, and without them, then this win would not have been a win.”

And, when Imran addressed journalists following his victory -- as had been the case throughout -- Anne stood next to him. Screenshots of her, circulated on social media, with several online users claiming she has a striking resemblance to Esther Arunga.

Arunga is currently in Australia, where she relocated with her estranged husband Quincy Timberlake in 2012.

While leaving, the couple said they no longer felt safe in Kenya at the time.

Quincy is currently in custody over the death of their son, Sinclair Timberlake, which occurred on June 18, 2014 after Quincy allegedly punched him in the stomach.